Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Dana 70 making noises after drag strip trip.

[MRector]

Well i went to Elk creek dragway again last friday to test the truck out again.

All went well making two passes in the eighth mile @ 8. 41 & 8. 39 elapsed times(mph isnt relavent due to elk creeks inclined track!!).

Launched in 4wd @ about 15 psi, going immediately into lockup and shifting at 3k rpm. The next day I noticed a CLUNK in the rear end only when im in reverse and turning sharp. It does fine in forward gears with a little gear whine.

I am going to take it apart this weekend to see if i got the spider gears or if the ring gear is missing a tooth or two . Im kinda hoping it grenaded, so i can get a d-80 and a real center unit :-laf



anybody have this problem already?



thanks, mike rector

 

[CStansbury]

Hey Mike,

I had this happen in my old Chebby truck after a weekend of mud bogging. It had the same symptoms as yours. I pulled the cover off and discovered chunks of spider gear teeth in the bottom of the diff. I still have a couple of teeth rattling around in my tool box to remind me of those fun times



I used that as an excuse to upgade my locker. I should have just gone with the 14-bolt full-floater, but that's another story.



Looks like a Dana 80 might be in your future!